NORTH Down Hockey Club has appointed Gareth McKeown as head coach of its Men’s 1st XI.
McKeown – whose playing career has taken him from Teddington HC in London to Servette HC in Switzerland as well as Joondalup Lakers in Perth, Australia – has been a dedicated member of the local club for 20 years.
He previously served as the club’s Director of Hockey from 2017 to 2020 and has also represented Ireland at Masters level. Between 2010 and 2012, McKeown guided the Swiss women’s national team to both indoor and outdoor European Championship titles.
The one-time Regent House pupil has played an integral role on the field for North Down in recent seasons, and is now tasked with improving the fortunes of the 1st XI from the dugout, after finding themselves battling for Premier League survival in each of the last two seasons.
McKeown’s appointment comes just weeks after Robbie McMinn was installed as head coach of North Down Ladies’ 1st XI, signalling a new era for the Comber club.
